Arsenal watched on last season as Crystal Palace secured silverware, and Mikel Arteta endured another campaign without a trophy.
The Eagles won the FA Cup – which remains the only trophy Arsenal have lifted since the Spaniard replaced Unai Emery in December 2019.
That resulted in UEFA Europa League qualification for Crystal Palace, and this newfound status as a side playing in Europe has enabled the south Londoners to attract another level of player, with a move to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP now progressing.
As Crystal Palace edge closer to signing the Ivorian, it strongly suggests Marc Guehi could soon be sold as Arsenal lurk.
Ousmane Diomande deal likely to see Marc Guehi sold
Crystal Palace can already boast three solid central defenders in Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards and the England international, as well as Morocco international Chadi Riad in reserve.
As a result, there is little reason for those at Selhurst Park to spend around £40m on Diomande – unless one of those aforementioned defenders is leaving, which we believe is the case.
The Athletic recently revealed that Arsenal are keen to sign Guehi as Arteta targets a new central defender, and the Crystal Palace No.6 is valued around £40m – the same as Diomande – due to the fact he only has 12 months left on his contract.
Guehi is also refusing to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park, so it seems highly likely that Crystal Palace have decided to sign Diomande as a replacement, before looking to cash in on the Chelsea academy graduate instead of losing him for free in 2026.
Newcastle United could also act
Arsenal are not the only side to be linked with a move for the 24-year-old.
Newcastle United still want Guehi after making several bids for the man born in Abidjan last summer, so if Arsenal are not the ones in line to sign him, the Magpies could well make a move after seeing Crystal Palace edge closer to Diomande.
It remains to be seen who ends up signing the FA Cup-winning captain this summer, but his future seems almost certain to be away from Crystal Palace after the update on Diomande.